Patent GB-769710-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for handling flat articles
Inventor: PACKMAN PERCIVAL JAMES
IPC: A21C15/00
Filed: 1954-07-29
Abstract: 769,710. Stacking biscuits and like flat articles. HUNTLEY & PALMERS, Ltd. July 28, 1955 [July 29, 1954], No. 22141/54. Class 94(1). [Also in Group XXX] Apparatus for stacking biscuits and like flat articles to facilitate packaging comprises in one form, Fig. 4, a horizontal conveyer 2 on which the biscuits are arranged in rows 7-10 and an auxiliary conveyer 5 which is inclined downwardly in the direction of motion, fixed plates 11-14 being arranged adjacent the surface of the conveyer 2 to deflect the rows of biscuits progressively on to the conveyer 5 so as to form a single row in which the biscuits are arranged in superposed layers. In a second form, Fig. 11, fixed ramps 19-21 are arranged between guides 22 adjacent the surface of a conveyer 2 on which the biscuits travel in rows 15-18, the height of each ramp being equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the biscuits. The row 18 is elevated by the ramp 21 and deflected by an inclined plate 23 on to the biscuits in the row 17 to form two superposed rows which are elevated by the ramp 20 and deflected on to the biscuits in the row 16 and so on until the biscuits are arranged in a single row 3 comprising four superposed layers. In a modification, Fig. 19 (not shown), the biscuits are fed from the tops of the ramps by rotary discs mounted on vertical axes adjacent the deflector plate 23. In a further modification, Fig. 20, the conveyer 2 is replaced by a rotary disc 36 to which the biscuits are fed in rows 27-34. A curved stationary deflector 38 is arranged above the surface of the disc and the biscuits are guided to the deflector between fixed plates 39. Inclined ramps similar to the ramps 19-21 are arranged between the plates 39 adjacent the deflector whereby the rows are combined to form a single row 3 comprising eight layers which is fed onto a plate 40. In a third form, Figs. 21, 22 and 24, rows of biscuits 41-45 are deflected across the surface of a conveyer 2 by fixed plates 53-58 and the biscuits of each row are transferred in succession to pockets 68 of an axuiliary chain conveyer 5 to form a stack of five biscuits in each pocket. The two conveyers are inclined upwardly at a slight angle and the pockets 68 are defined by pairs of pivoted cradles 64 which straddle a downwardlyinclined support 66. The spacing of the biscuits in the rows 41-45 is controlled by escapement mechanisms 70 each comprising arms 75a, 75b pivoted between circular plates 74 secured to opposite faces of a semi-circular member 71 which is carried by a shaft 72 rotatably mounted on the plate 57 and one or more of the plates 53-56. The arms 75a, 75b are urged downwardly against stops 77 by springs 78 housed in the member 71. An arm 79 secured to each shaft 72 is pivoted at its upper end to a beam 80 which is reciprocated longitudinally by a camoperated chain 82 against the action of a spring 81 to cause the shafts to oscillate. The free ends of the arms 75a and 75b are thus moved alternately towards and away from the surface of the conveyer 2 so that incorrectly spaced biscuits are temporarily arrested by one or other arm. In a modification (not shown) the arms and member 71 are moulded in one piece from resilient material such as rubber.